The Middletown Town Solicitor recently summarized the status of recreational marijuana in the state, including the ability of the town to “opt-out” of recreational marijuana offerings. On March 1, two lawmakers in the House and Senate introduced identical legislation that would allow for 33 retail licenses distributed in six zones statewide, among a slew of other caveats and provisions. Town Solicitor Peter Regan, at the request of Town Councilor Terri Flynn, gave a general rundown of the proposed legislation and what it means for the town. Regan explained the 33 retail licenses would include 24 new ones and nine “potential hybrids,” where existing compassion centers could sell both medical and recreational marijuana. The proposed tax structure includes a 3% local tax that would benefit the host community. Marijuana in RI: Marijuana sales ban remains in effect in Newport for another six months “With regard to local control, it would require cities and towns councils by resolution to put a question on the Nov. 22 ballot in order for cities and towns to opt out of having retail licenses located in their community,” Regan said.

Mmp News Author, Medical Marijuana Program Connection, 04/17/2022 20:23:00

Open article: https://mmpconnect.com/ri-marijuana-legalization-bill-raises-concerns-with-middletown-council/

New York regulators on Thursday voted to grant conditional marijuana cultivation licenses to a number of hemp businesses as one of the first steps toward ensuring an adequate supply of cannabis when the state’s adult-use market launches later this year. And separately, the Cannabis Control Board (CCB) approved revised regulations to allow medical marijuana patients to grow their own plants for personal use following a public comment period on initial rules that were proposed last year. It’s been about a year since an adult-use legalization bill was enacted into law, and regulators have spent months preparing for implementation. At CCB’s meeting on Thursday, members approved 52 conditional cultivation licenses. More than 150 applications had been submitted, and the remaining applicants will continue to be reviewed on a rolling basis. Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) signed a bill from Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes (D) and Sen. Michelle Hinchey (D) to create conditional licenses in February. The intent is to allow existing hemp operators to get a head start on growing marijuana to meet the demand for the forthcoming industry.

Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 04/14/2022 13:22:00

Open article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/new-york-regulators-approve-first-round-of-marijuana-cultivation-licenses-and-revise-medical-cannabis-home-grow-rules/

A New Hampshire Senate committee on Thursday took a historic step by approving a House-passed bill to legalize marijuana possession and cultivation for adults 21 and older. This marks the first time that a cannabis legalization bill has moved through a Senate panel. While the House has advanced a number of reform proposals over the past several sessions—including a separate bill this year to create a regulated, state-run marijuana market—the Senate has long posed a serious obstacle on the issue. Now the Senate Judiciary Committee has passed the bipartisan non-commercial legalization bill from Rep. Carol McGuire (R) in 3-2 vote. It next heads to the Senate floor. There was light discussion about the proposal prior to the panel’s vote. Sen. Rebecca Whitley (D) said that “we have learned a lot from the past 40 years and the so-called ‘war on drugs,’ and I think the reality is that it’s been shown that the war on marijuana in particular…doesn’t keep us safe and can often waste taxpayer dollars and, in many cases, it can really ruin people’s lives.”

Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 04/14/2022 12:26:00

Open article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/new-hampshire-senate-committee-approves-bill-to-legalize-marijuana-home-grow-in-historic-first-for-the-state/

A bipartisan group of congressional lawmakers filed a bill on Thursday that would direct the attorney general to create a commission charged with making recommendations on a regulatory system for marijuana that models what’s currently in place for alcohol. Reps. Dave Joyce (R-OH), Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and Brian Mast (R-FL) are teaming up on what’s titled the Preparing Regulators Effectively for a Post-Prohibition Adult-Use Regulated Environment Act (PREPARE) Act—an incremental reform meant to inform comprehensive cannabis policy changes in the future. The measure will “provide lawmakers across the ideological spectrum the opportunity to engage on cannabis reform by creating a fair, honest and publicly transparent process for the federal government to establish effective regulation to be enacted upon the termination of its 85-year prohibition of cannabis,” according to a summary from the sponsors. “With 91 percent of Americans supporting either medical or recreational cannabis legalization, it’s time for the federal government to respect the will of our voters—both Democrat and Republican alike—and begin a serious conversation about what a post-prohibition America should look like,” Joyce said in a press release.

Kyle Jaeger, Marijuana Moment, 04/14/2022 13:31:00

Open article: https://www.marijuanamoment.net/u-s-attorney-general-would-be-required-to-create-marijuana-commission-to-advise-on-legalization-under-new-bipartisan-bill/

A Las Vegas-based cannabis company has become the first foreign franchise to enter a joint venture for a medical marijuana clinic in Thailand, treating Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, cancer, eating disorders and insomnia, smack in the heart of Bangkok’s flashy tourist zone. The move comes as the Thai government is hoping to foster a major marijuana-based industry here, getting the jump on regional competitors and benefiting from a global reputation for the quality and potency of the local crop. “I hope that Thailand becomes the Silicon Valley of Cannabis for Asia,” said the clinic’s Thai partner Julpas Kruesopon — “or, as most people in Thailand call me now, ‘Mister Weed.’” Thai officials also are anxious to exploit what economists call a “first-mover advantage” in Asia because Bangkok’s cannabis laws are now among the continent’s most liberal and its products globally known. “Thailand has a real advantage. We have our own strain here … Thai Stick, it’s a very famous strain,” Mr. Julpas told The Washington Times in a recent interview, adding that local players are hoping to attract Israeli and European companies to invest as well. “The key is to grow the industry,” he said.

The Washington Times Https, Washington Times – Politics, Breaking News, US and World News, 04/13/2022 20:00:00

Open article: https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2022/apr/14/first-us-firm-joins-thailands-would-be-pot-boom